I find it sad when I hear people say, “I’ll never go to a high school reunion…I hated high school!”  I always look at them and say, “I’m so sorry for you, too bad you didn’t go with me to Galena Park High School.”  I loved my years in high school.  Those friends and experiences made up some of the best years of my life.  I know that sounds like I may be remembering times that were truly not that good, but they were.

It all started when me and Cyndi Chapman walked every morning together to summer band practice.  Band is the family that was extremely special to me.  It’s one of the places that allowed me to continue falling in love with music and steered me to the path of studying to become a band director.  Band trips and fundraisers, Friday night games and pizza after…good times.  It was a family that helped you feel safe in a school filled with nerds, jocks, cheerleaders, etc.  You had a family going into the very first day of school and they kept you safe.

I remember the first day of school, sitting in typing class (I did not want to take typing).  Behind me sat a boy and girl from the “other” junior high school.  I had no idea they would both become very good friends of mine and Don has always been what I consider to be one of my best friends (and when I think of Donna I always smile).  The projects and Model UN planning that went on at his house were great times.  And his wonderful parents treated me as their own (my senior picture hung in their house).

On July 22^nd we celebrated our 30^th high school reunion.  I didn’t see bald heads, gray hairs and extra pounds Friday night.  I looked into the eyes of my classmates from 30 years ago and felt a warmth that took me back to my teenage years.  I saw the sparkle in their eyes from those wild eyed, teenagers filled with dreams and passion.  When I saw Ros Radley’s smile, the tears flowed.  He is one of the kindest men I know.  Whenever I see his name on Facebook, I smile.  I hugged my friend Laurie who had recently lost her husband and held her a little tighter. One of my friends from Catholic elementary school came up and as I hugged her I said, “Norma, you know we look just like our mothers?!” as she shook her head in agreement.   And Diana, who lived in the same apartment complex as my family when we were very young, came up and as I hugged her, knowing both of her parents are gone like mine, I felt a connection with her, remembering the times our families were together and keeping our parents’ memories alive for a moment.

When I saw my friend Mindy, her hug was the kind that allowed you to melt into her embrace and it took me back immediately to the days of band practices and after school rehearsals.  Her smile and spirit lit up the room.  And when one of my best friends from those days, Karen, came in the room, I was overwhelmed and my eyes tear up now as I write this.  Hugging her brought back floods of memories all in an instant.  The laughter, crazy stunts, sleepovers and, well, some things are better left unsaid.

I don’t have any regrets during my high school years.  That’s how it should be.  The only thing I regret is that I did not nurture some of those friendships over the past 30 years.  My path after high school took me away from my high school friends but the memories we all had together will never be taken away.

For that I am eternally grateful.

Many of us have experience loss like we never imagined.  My friend Theresa, the first person to talk to me in Miss Parker’s 3rd grade class, shared a story of heartbreak that has led her to a life filled with happiness.  It should be because her heart is beautiful.

Some of my friends are divorced or widowed and I pray that they find someone to share their lives and love with (if they are looking or not)!

Others have lost their hair or have turned gray.  I imagine that each hair lost was a challenge or struggle and the grays could represent the worry and stress in our lives.  I pray that we all find outlets to let go of our stress and enjoy our lives, children and passions.

As for those extra pounds, I know that many of us have had children and our bodies nurtured and loved our babies.  I believe we have often “earned” those extra pounds!  Whatever the case, I pray that we take care of our health and know that we are truly enough just as we are.

And to my friends who have children with special needs, I know you.  My heart is with you as we all find the things that work for our children.  There is nothing worse than your child being sick or “different.”  For whatever reason, we have been blessed with children who are unique and I pray that our love wraps around them and seeps into their souls.  I know that God is always with us.

And for those I did not see, my mind has been reeling with memories of those years.  I can’t stop smiling (even in this oppressive humidity) 🙂

Here’s to our health and happiness!  May God bless us all.

Love,

Fuzzy (How was I only called that twice Friday night?!)